Chemistry
Synthesize Your Future
The in-depth Chemistry major includes foundational and advanced coursework in the five traditional subdisciplines in chemistry: analytical, biochemistry, inorganic, organic and physical. The major is certified by the American Chemical Society and includes coursework in biology, mathematics, and physics. Students are well-prepared for a variety of careers in chemistry and for the health professions.
All majors in the Department complete faculty-supervised research as a part of their capstone experience. Additional opportunities exist for summer research. Many students present the results of their research at regional and national conferences and often have the opportunity to be coauthors on peer-reviewed publications.
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Chemistry Concentrations
The Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry at Etown College offers three concentrations within the Chemistry major to ensure students are equipped to pursue the educational or professional career path they are interested in.
This concentration prepares students for graduate school, careers in the medical field (dental, medical, vet, etc.), or for a career in industrial or government laboratories. Especially important in this concentration are advanced laboratory courses, senior-level courses in advanced inorganic and advanced organic chemistry, and the individual research project. The American Chemical Society (ACS) concentration is accredited by the American Chemical Society's Committee on Professional Training.
The Chemical Physics concentration provides a solid background in chemistry with added emphasis in physics and physical chemistry. This emphasis is largely in quantum chemistry, and the theoretical study of molecular behavior based on the laws of physics. This allows students to study the properties of matter through theoretical and computational means. This concentration is best suited for someone interested in going to graduate school and specializing in theoretical chemistry.
By integrating foundation business and economics courses with a strong chemistry curriculum, this concentration prepares students for sales or management positions within the chemical, medical, and related industries. Many students pursuing this concentration will still elect to conduct independent research to further increase their marketability when they enter the workforce.
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What Can I Do With a Degree in Chemistry?
We understand that many students studying Chemistry have intentions of pursuing continued education after completing their chemistry degree. Our graduates are ready for both the workforce and continued education after the completion of their degree. Recent graduates from our program have gone on to become leaders at Merck, Glaxo Smith Kline, Eurofins, Pfizer, FMC Corporation, Chemours, and State Police Laboratories.
A Post-Graduate Connection
A degree in Chemistry is a great starting point for students looking to study healthcare professions after graduating, such as Pre-Medicine, Pre-Veterinary Medicine, Pre-Pharmacy, or Pre-Dentistry. Our graduates have gone on to programs at Temple University Kornberg School of Dentistry, Binghamton University and Thomas Jefferson Schools of Pharmacy, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Penn State Hershey Medical Center, The Commonwealth Medical College, and many others.
Do Impactful Research
Undergraduate research is both the cornerstone and the capstone of the Elizabethtown College Chemistry & Biochemistry curriculum. Students can begin independent research with a faculty mentor as early as their first year and work with one or more faculty mentors during the academic year and summer, leading up to completion of a required research experience during the senior year. In addition, fundamental research questions are routinely incorporated into the teaching laboratories associated with specific courses.
Chemistry Minor
Students majoring in another discipline are able to add a minor in Chemistry to their studies. Whether you're majoring in another STEM field or not, our minor is very flexible and compliments many different areas of study.